METAPHYSICAL CAUSES OF CANDIDA – CANDIDIASIS

“Fifty years ago doctors identified Candida albicans as a frequent cause of vagina, mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract infections. Now it’s well know to affect all body parts, organs, tissues and cells. Research physicians suspect Candida as a complication in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a contributor to early death in various forms of cancer, a source of infertility in some women, and a mischief-maker in other medical tragedies such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, schizophrenia, and arthritis. On rare occasions yeast overgrowth results in pneumonia, meningitis, and similar devastating body invasions.” The Yeast Syndrome: How to Help Your Doctor Identify and Treat the Real Cause… ~By John Parks Trowbridge, M.D., Morton Valker, D.P.M.

No matter what we do, we’ll never rid our bodies of Candida. Candida albicans occurs naturally in nature, in the soil, on vegetables and fruits and in small quantities in our mouths, intestines and in a woman’s vagina. When in balance with the other 400 species of friendly bacteria in our gut, Candida can live harmlessly in our bodies. Candida loves living in warm, moist areas of the body and especially where there’s an ample supply of food for it to feast on. When your body is healthy, Candida can’t penetrate your defenses, but if an overgrowth of Candida starts running rampant in the intestines, the medical term is called Candidiasis. Metaphysically, candida feeds on what is not digested by someone – life energy is easily frittered away. Candida issues can point to deeper emotional ones, sometimes rooted in connection to the site of the candida infection itself. We’ll be looking at this later on in the article.

The intestines are the longest organ in the body, and also your main filtration system. It is thought that about 80% of your immune function is in your gut and a lot of that is governed by how the bacteria are able to function—there are 10 times more bacteria than there are cells in our bodies! The intestines main job is to absorb what is useful to your body, but if it’s plumbing, electrical and drainage system is compromised, the body will start absorbing toxins, and clogging the system (kind of like dirty oil in a car). When your pipes are clogged, proteins, fats, and/or sugars can enter your circulation triggering inflammation and a defensive immune system.

Medically, we are told candidiasis, is caused from an improper diet, which is known to upset the bacterial balance in the intestinal. A bacterial imbalance means you aren’t digesting carbs properly and, undigested carbs become food for ‘bad bacteria’. Bad bacteria produces acidic toxins irritating the lining of the digestive system, when this happens your body secretes mucus into the intestines. With too much mucus, enzymes from the pancreas can’t breakdown the food, giving it more time to ferment in your gut. Just one teaspoon of undigested carbs and sugars can produce approximately 50 millimetres of gas in the intestine. Toxins and gases can damage the intestinal lining, making us more susceptible to the condition known as ‘leaky gut’.

“The intestinal tract tries to protect itself from the constant exposure to toxic substances like drugs, environmental chemicals, food additives, refined carbohydrates (white flour acts like glue in the intestines), and heavy metals by creating mucus on the intestinal wall. As mucus builds up on the lining, toxins, yeasts, and parasites stick to it, until it becomes “putrefactive debris.” This prevents the proper assimilation of nutrients and contributes to toxins entering the bloodstream”. Juicing, Fasting and Detoxing for Life ~ By John Calbom MA, Cherie Calbom MS

When the intestines become clogged we can suffer from constipation, diarrhea, bloating, trapped gas, skin problems, cellulite, asthma, headaches or vaginitis. All these can be caused from candiasis or an imbalance of the yeast Candida albicans. Toxic buildups are stored in the fat cells of the body…if these toxins leak into the fluids of the body, which includes the blood, they can cause an array of problems as suggested above. As well, antibiotics and cortisone, and hormonal supplements such as birth control pills can upset the delicate balance in the intestinal area, killing off many of the friendly bacteria. If the candida multiplies out of control it can mutate into a fungus breaking through the tissues into the bloodstream, where it can create havoc with our emotions and any part of the body.

So far, nearly one hundred Candida toxins have been identified; two of the most known are carbon monoxide and acetylaldehyde (part of the formaldehyde family), which are known to suppress the T-cells of the immune system, known as the bodies ‘killer cells’. Candida toxins also cause histamine to be released, which has a major role in asthma and allergic reactions. Candida also produces alcohol in the system and for some people infected with it, they appear to others as drunk or mentally confused .. without ever taking a drink.

Red blood cell flexibility is also affected when acetylaldehyde is in the system, decreasing the rate at which red blood cells can carry oxygen to the tissues. If the brain is oxygen deprived, the central nervous will be affected causing: mood swings, behavioral changes, headaches, hyperactivity, paranoia, insomnia and list goes on.

(Inside the brain, histamine plays an important role in stimulating the release of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. When too much histamine is released in the brain we can suffer from ADHD symptoms, depression, aggressiveness, compulsive disorders and a ‘racing brain’. Similar to bipolar or manic depression you could become obsessive about sex, cry easily, have abnormal fears and even contemplate suicide. Too little histamine can cause disorders like chronic fatigue, paranoia, hallucinations and depression.)

“The Candida cells excrete a chemical that shrinks the cells of the intestinal wall, and as these cells continue to wither away, the intestinal tract further degrades, becomes more inflamed, and leaks even more toxins into the blood stream.

So now you have a Candida infection, and the yeast is living off the carbohydrates you are eating, which results in a further imbalance in your blood-sugar levels. Remember that an elevated level of cortisol will inhibit your cells’ sensitivity to insulin and your ability to store glucose for energy; now the Candida is living off your glucose-producing foods before you can even use them, and your energy level is dropping because your muscles and brain are starved for the glucose that fuels them. Your sugar cravings are increasing; you are consuming lots of junk food that is high in calories; and you are probably gaining more weight….

Prolonged periods of elevated cortisol levels can destroy immune cells, rob these cells of the chemicals that are necessary for them to function properly, and even shrink the thymus gland that is making these immune-system cells. Add this to the fact that your poor immune system is already overburdened by dealing with the toxins leaking out of your intestinal tract. The Stress Effect: Discover the Connection Between Stress and Illness ~ By Richard Weinstein

Candiasis affects the immune system, nervous system and endocrine system as they are all connected. It can cause fatigue, allergies, thrush, vaginal, bladder, prostate and other infections plus body aches, thyroid, mood disorders and depression. It has become a major health problem because of being misdiagnosed and mistreated in the past—Candida has now reached nearly epidemic proportions, affecting both men and women.

“Problems related to [the endocrine] glands and organs include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), diabetes, and obesity, all of which are increasing at alarming proportions in the United States [and the world]. Hypothyroidism is rampant, especially among women. And the ailment most common across the board with males and females is adrenal exhaustion, where the adrenals output chronically high cortisol levels, resulting in fatigue, low immunity, anxiety, insomnia, and weight gain.” The Candida Cure: The 90-Day Program to Beat Candida and Restore Vibrant Health ~ by Ann Boroch

Women who think they may have candidiasis could suffer from extreme hormonal shifts due to estrogen imbalance. The amount of estrogen released into the body is regulated by the liver and the bacteria in the intestinal tract. The liver sends excess estrogen through the gallbladder duct to the small intestines, where the normal bacteria break it down. If you lack the bacteria to destroy excess estrogen and you have intestinal leakage, the estrogen will be reabsorbed and can end up in lymph-node sites such as the breasts, ovaries and uterus. This could contribute to endometriosis, fibroid tumors, estrogen-sensitive cancers, PMS and monthly pre-menstrual migraines.

Diabetic women experience more vaginal infections, because the excess sugar in their blood is a ripe environment to attract yeast infections. Also, women can “catch” fungal yeast infections from their partner as Candida has been found in male seminal fluids, which can reinfect women during sexual intercourse.

CANDIDIASIS SYMPTOMS

“Feeling lousy, without reason, being irritable or easily angered;

Craving yeasty foods (bread, alcohol, fermented cheeses) and sweets

Eating these foods may provide temporary relief, but this may be followed by a worsening of symptoms,

Fatigue that is worsened when exposed to molds (basements, gardening); and

Heightened sensitivity to tobacco smoke, perfumes and other chemicals.

Treatment may involve avoidance of foods that promote yeast growth – which are often the very foods that are craved; avoidance (to a reasonable extend) of antibiotics; taking the anti-yeast (prescription) drug nystatin; eating yogurt; taking capsules of lactobacilli to replace the normal flora that are killed of by antibiotics; drinking special herbal teas (taheebo, la pacho, pau d’arco); and having cleansing enemals (Trowbridge/Walker). How Can I Heal What Hurts: Wholistic Healing and Bioenergies ~ Daniel J Benor

Skin conditions such as psoriasis, seborrhea, rosacea, toenail fungal are usually associated with Candida and food allergies. It’s been advised not to eat Nightshade foods, such as: tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers (all peppers). These foods can cause the thinning of the intestinal lining allowing toxins to leak out affecting the skin.

METAPHYSICAL CAUSES OF CANDIDIASIS

“Candida is a yeast-like fungus that can occur in warm, damp areas, such as the mouth, intestines, bladder, or vagina. Normally this fungus lives in balance in the body, but such balance can easily be broken, whether by excessive stress, antibiotics, or birth control pills, that can weaken the immune system. Due to these factors increasing in our lives, so the cases of candida have also increased. Candida has been named the cause of numerous ailments, from depression to be behavioural problems, as the fungus is said to be able to move into different organs and systems in the body. Doctors disagree on this, and more medical research is needed. As Candida can grow for many years without any obvious effects, it is not always easy to diagnose.

Candida in the digestive system suggests you are being psycho/emotionally invaded by someone or something, and feel out of control. It also impies that your normal living environment has become upset or out of balance, allowing other energies to enter and make themselves at home.

People susceptible to candiasis have a tendency to deny or play down their emotions, struggling against how they actually feel. All this creates a stranglehold or a clinging to keep their inner turmoil from coming out into the open. Others may not see through your façade at first, at least not until they get to know you. Friends may come and go because they get the feeling you don’t want to help yourself. They see you as not feeling confident about who you are. You may look really sad to them or really angry at the world. It also seems as if you’re holding back from being honest with yourself. But that’s further from the truth, isn’t it? They don’t understand how much pain and sadness is buried inside you and as result you’ve built walls so no more sadness could come in. But shutting yourself off is not giving you the chance to experience true friendship. You are in fact pushing people away.

This is really interesting because of all the organs in the body, the intestines have a great need to protect and be protected. It could be we didn’t feel welcomed into the world or felt our parents didn’t nurture us properly. When we feel that way, we feel out of place, unwanted and the rage within is so strong we can’t allow ourselves to express. In fact our need for security can be so strong we can lie to protect ourselves or lie to protect someone or to cover something up. When we hold or distort the truth, it can haunt us, especially if we’re afraid the other person might find out. Every time we lie, we have to stumble over our own thoughts and feeling about it, creating our limitations and obstacles.

The intestines house a long muscle that automatically moves when full, but when we are nervous, tense and irritated this muscle is unable to move and becomes contracted. Not only can this contraction affect our breathing (diaphragm), it also affects blood circulation as well as the lymph system, making it difficult for our bodies to absorb minerals and trace elements. Without these essential nutrients we can experience hypoglycemia, heart palpitations, trembling and higher amounts of perspiration. We may experiences numbness in the hands and feet, cramps in and spasms in the stomach and severe back pain.

“People who have candida are often very frustrated and angry and may feel scattered in their personal and professional lives. Since they are basically untrusting, they are often very demanding in relationships. They are great takers, but not very good givers. Early in life, they learned that they could not trust people who were close to them. Now, they cannot trust themselves…..

Candidiasis is a state of inner imbalance, not a germ, but, a dis-ease. Candida albicans is a strain of yeasts commonly found in the gastrointestinal and genito-urinary areas of the body. It is generally harmless, but when resistance and immunity are low, the yeast is able to multiply rapidly, feeding on sugars and carbohydrates in these tracts. It releases toxins into the bloodstream, and causes far-reaching problems. Stress and lack of rest aggravate this condition in a body that is already out of balance.”” ~ Louise L. Hay

Whether they’re conscious of it or not, people who are susceptible to Candida have experienced a profound betrayal in love; they have a very hard time trusting anyone or anything. As young children they might not have been told or understood the concept of death and so felt betrayed by the death of a parent, a pet or someone they loved dearly. They also feel betrayed by the person who never told them their love of their live was dying. Suffering both loss and betrayal, a person’s trust in life itself is shattered.

Breaches of trust can happen when the basic care we expect from our parents is withdrawn or withheld. Children unconsciously develop a sense that life itself cannot be trusted when protection isn’t given or nourishment is withheld. As adults, they feel as if they were fools to have ever trusted in the first place. That’s why as adults, they will protect themselves at all costs from ever being in a vulnerable place again.

“This disorder occurs mainly in people who have been psychologically, emotionally, and physically over-active and are in serious need of stabilizing their lives. …candidiasis corresponds to issues regarding the creation of a stabilized living situation, specifically what is known as the “nesting bug”. The stress emerging from the unfulfilled desire to lay down roots and establish a home and family is directly connected to this virus.” Caroline Myss ~ The Creation of Health

Usually when we have difficulty stabilizing our lives, it may be because we grew up in the midst of an out-of-control parent…one who was either an alcoholic, a drug addict, a gambler or a manic depressive. As a consequence our childhood was out of control, suffering a profound lack of safety. Like a person suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) the child can never let down their guard, believing that if they do, all hell will break loose. They’re continually stressed, wearing themselves out worrying about what could possibly go wrong.

Prolonged and untreated stress can increase our risk of getting sick. When we are under stress, the thyroid works harder, pumping out more of its hormones. If the stress continues, the thyroid will be unable to maintain its increased level of production and may begin to fail. When this happens, the immune system becomes confused and starts producing antibodies against the thyroid. As the thyroid falters, metabolism slows. When metabolism slows we start eating the wrong kind of carbohydrates that cause the Candida already in your system to multiply and spread.

“Candida—Self-doubt. Feeling scattered, hazy, frazzled, stressed, trapped. Frustrated with your partner, blaming your partner or someone close to you. Feeling angry that you aren’t getting what you want but not wanting to change or to take action … Blocking the energy flow in your life. Holding on to grief and sadness from the past”. Inna Segel

Candida can be missed and misdiagnosed, because it is often masked as another problem such as anxiety, depression, anger, relationship problems, etc. Unknown to us there is another driving force behind what is happening to us. Candidiasis once unleashed is determined to survive…all its energy is directed toward getting what it wants to hold its self-image together. It will keep the relationship with you going as long as this yeast/fungi gets what it wants. This ultimately works against you to get the kind of help you need to turn this disease around. When the stress of trying to keep yourself together fails, the Candida can overwhelmingly cause you to fall into deep apathy and depression. You may regress to earlier parts of your life, replaying over and over your childhood wounds.

People who have trust issues have had to adapt to the betrayals they experienced as a child—children unconsciously develop a sense that life can’t be trusted—especially when protection isn’t given or nourishment is withheld. As adults we keep replaying over and over the stories of when we weren’t able to express our needs or even hope our secrets will be fulfilled. To cover up our feelings, we convince ourselves we’d be better off alone and do our best not to rely on anyone. Now we’re walled off in a world of emotional anguish in exactly the same way our parents raised us.

In order to escape the sorrow of our past, we tend to seek refuge in our imagination—we live in tomorrow, filled with hopes and desires for the future. The more we desire for this kind of future, the more we become dissatisfied with today. This dissatisfaction creates more tension and stress in the body and causes us to feel even more insecure. To fight insecurity we resist anything that forces us to sit in silence or remain still. Restless we could resort to drinking, smoking, over-eating, sex and drugs. To relax, we join in competitive games and sports but it doesn’t help us because our continual thoughts and attitudes are still stuck in the past.

Depleted energy can cause depression, loneliness and fear. If we keep pushing ourselves beyond what the body can endure, we can suffer from an endless of physical, mental and emotional disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, insomnia, stomach ulcers, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and candiasis.

“You hold onto the hurt, the anger, the resentment, because you fear that if you could let it go effortlessly, then whoever caused the pain in the first place, would be getting away with it too easily.

By holding on, you might still be searching for closure, and needing an apology from someone, again, or for the first time. You want to arrive at the moment with all the baggage in hand, to make sure they understand all the weight you have been carrying around. Seeking validation for your suffering, acknowledgment, and to be reassured, yes, indeed, you really were hurt.

The only problem here is that you will never be free of the hurt, anger, or pain so long as you are waiting for that grand moment to come. The perpetrator has a backstage pass into your mind anytime. You’re open 24/7. It’s like being free on a very very long chain. You can move in any direction you want in a circle, and stretch pretty far, but at any given moment, be snapped back to that time and place, and the one snapping you back is the very person who hurt you, and you are the one that gave them permission to be there.

You gave control of your happiness to someone else.

Does it affect the other person if you are wallowing in misery, crying your eyes out reliving the moment, staring at the cars going by on the road losing hours of your time? Nope!” ABRAHAM HICKS

Candida can strike at times after we have suffered a great loss, it could from a a childhood trauma, a job loss, a physical injury or even a debilitating illness. Having lost our own power we strike out at those we love, our family, our partner, even our children. Instead of seeing a relationship as give and take or sharing our feelings, we see it as a competition as ‘who’s going to win’.

“When I get angry and act against my better judgment, it’s not just because I’m protecting myself…..it’s also about who I wasn’t able to be as a child and teenager. Learning to pay attention to my own behaviors and habits, I’ve recognized anger as an ongoing pattern for me. It all seems to come from ignoring my intuition and even my emotional and sexual boundaries to please others. But of course no matter how hard I try the relationship ends and I scold myself ‘again’ for sabotaging my worth for pleasing others. In fact it’s really embarrassing after it’s all over that I probably wouldn’t have even dated that person if I had listened to my intuition.” (email from Ruth B)

FINDING INNER BALANCE

“The value of words is often underestimated.Like smudges on a pair of spectacles, they have the ability to blur everything you do not make crystal clear. Listen with great care to what is being said and choose your own words as if they were diamonds” Sally Brompton

“Trust or mistrust is the basic element of your first chakra program, which is a foundation for all the other programs that follow. Trust enables the body to unfold from its cramped position, allows security and calm, and encourages connection, bonding, and exploration. With trust the survival instinct is satisfied and there is a sense of emotional well-being. If you are confident that the world is a friendly space, you have the sense that you will live. Without trust, your survival feels constantly threatened, and because there is nothing you can do to meet the threat, the anxiety is unbearable.” Eastern Body Western Mind ~ Anodea Smith

The right to survive is the most important aspect of the first chakra. Food, clothing, shelter, heat, medical help and physical contact are among the necessities of the base chakra. It represents our roots, our foundation and again our survival. The main purpose of this chakra is as Anodea Smith importantly pointed out, to help or guide the other chakras or energy centers, when they need it. If this chakra is strong, then your body will be healthy, strong and give you strength to move about your day. The key words to this chakra is ‘to root’, to keep you in touch with the ground. The body is the home of our soul and the foundation for our lives on the earth plane. Thanks to our body we can see and understand everything that’s happening within us. When we are sick or in trouble our body is the first to let us know. What we don’t understand will be expressed through our bodies in the form of aches and pains, stiff joints and sore muscles. The lesson to learn here is to be in contact with and respect our bodies and our root center.

In her book “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”, Dr. Susan Jeffers wisely says, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got.” In other words, if we don’t learn to break old habits programmed in our psyche we will never be free of our unconscious drives and habits. Old ideas and habits are anything that bind you to the past, anything that bogs you down in an emotional quagmire, anything that prevents you moving to the next stage of life, anything that causes you pain.

Your own body is the greatest health book you will ever read. When the body/mind is aware and more flexible to our inner energies, we learn not only to hear how to nurture and take care of ourselves, we’re also able to let go of old perspectives, memories, information and patterns. When your nervous system is free of all your chatter and interfering thoughts then you’ll be able hear your body’s own inner requests for self-healing and self-care.

The Second Chakra

I’ve discussed the 2nd chakra in different articles on my blog, you might find them helpful or interesting to you…

The 2nd chakra builds upon and blends with the root chakra. It represents sexual balance, emotional expression, intuition, cooperation, relationships, patience and attention to detail. If we were nurtured and cared for as a child, then the gift of the sacral center is the ability to feel your feelings, make decisions, express who you are and reach for your dreams. But if the ground of our root chakra suffered from breaches of trust and betrayals as a child, we’ll always create a distance between ourselves and the person(s) we love.

“On the level of physical perception, your second chakra automatically evaluates any situation according to how it affects your survival. Are you physically safe? Are there any financial implications? Is your power in this situation threatened by someone bigger, stronger, richer, sexier? A part of you instinctively assesses each moment of your life for its potential threat to your survival. Even if you enter a room full of loving friends and family, for example, your brain and body still scan the room and the energy around you for any impending physical dangers or negative attitudes. You also automatically scan for any threat to people you love. Hoften have you felt, on running into a friend or family member or thinking of someone that you “knew” something was wrong, even though you could not identify it?” Sacred Contracts ~ Caroline Myss

I’ve noticed that people with 2nd chakra issues suffer from passive-aggressive behaviors. We can gravitate from being extremely over-sensitive, shy and self-depreciating to extremely controlling, sarcastic, demeaning and spiteful. What we don’t realize is that our thoughts and words affect how we feel about ourselves, even if we aren’t aware of it on a conscious level. Loving another is an inner and outer process, and although we all have deep feelings and intense experiences, the present doesn’t represent the past and the person who we are with at moment represents no threat to us.

“Passive aggressive behavior is when you express your anger, but it’s not directed at the person you are mad at. You might use sarcastic humor, slam doors, or kick the dog. You are aggressive in that you actively express your anger, but you are passive because your anger is directed at the source of your anger.” Stuck: How to Mend and Move on from Broken Relationships ~ F. Remy Diederich

Are you a pot thrower? Do you scream and scare people out of their wits just to get your point across that you’re angry?

AWARENESS EXERCISE

Write down the names of the people who you’ve recently reacted angrily or sarcastically to. Then write down why you think these persons created this reaction in you. In what way would you like this person to be different then the way they are?

Choose a specific situation in the recent past you remember fighting back with the same aggression you were confronted with. What were the elements in the situation that caused you to react and to feel the emotions you did. How would you have liked the situation to be different?

Look back at what you wrote in your first answer. See if you can write down at least 3 good points about each person and three useful things you also learned about yourself from interacting with them.

Look over what you wrote regarding a specific situation. Reflect on it for a moment, close your eyes and write down what you see, and what you learned from the situation. Use this introspective moment to help you notice what upsets you and see how to change them.

TREATING CANDIDA

“According to Healthy Healing, an alternative healing reference by naturopathic doctor Linda Rector-page, Candidiasis is a state of inner imbalance, not a germ, but, or dis-ease. Candida albicans is a strain of yeasts commonly found in the gastrointestinal and genito-urinary areas of the body. It is generally harmless, but when resistance and immunity are low, the yeast is able to multiply rapidly, feeding on sugars and carbohydrates in these tracts. It releases toxins into the bloodstream, and causes far-reaching problems. Stress and lack of rest aggravate this condition in a body that is already out of balance.” Healthy Healing is an excellent book that I highly recommend, along with its companion book, Cooking for Healthy Healing”. Life! ~by Louise L. Hay

Definitely get yourself some high potency probiotics (acidophilius) and take it 20 minutes before breakfast or on an empty stomach. Also buy some glutamine, it acts as a gut barrier and helps to prevent ‘leaky gut’ or candida from moving through your gut wall.

Many people today cannot tolerate lactose but in yogurt the lactose is removed during fermentation. Yogurt in your diet will raise the natural killer T-cells and helps to block carcinogens (cancer causing agents) from developing.

Other herbs and food groups to try…

There are plenty of herbs one can take for candida, the best said to be Oregano oil, which is very antiseptic and kills candida as well as parasites. It’s quite aggressive on the internal mucus membranes, esophagus, stomach, intestines and colon which is why it should always be diluted with some oil, milk or honey and part of your meal. In Greek, oregano means ‘Mountain Joy’ and it has shown to have the highest levels of the antioxidants, polyphenols carvacrol, rosmarinic acid and thymol. You can even put oil of oregano and even oil of rosemary in your daily salad dressing. On average 1-3 drops is enough, anymore and you could end up with abdominal pain. Some say it’s best to take this essential oil on a short term basis, 5-7 days, stop, and if necessary start again.

Onions and garlic have been used for centuries for their antibiotic like qualities, known to fight bacteria, viruses and intestinal parasites.

In Chinese Medicine it is said that ‘cold and dampness’ slows the body’s circulation (chi) and weakens the spleen; when this happens, the energy we get from food isn’t absorbed as well or circulated to our tissues. It is suggested to cut down on cold and raw foods, especially when you have Candida, until it’s under control. What you want is to heat and dry your digestive organs. Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, parsley, cardamon and pepper are known as ‘warm’ herbs you can add to your favorite foods.

To treat candida, nutritionists recommend eliminating sugar, artificial sweeteners, breads, pastries, cookies, yeasts, dairy products, fruit, tea, coffee, vinegars and tobacco, for about three months. In three months the immune system has the ability to rehabilitate itself and a strong immune system can keep the candida population in check. If you can afford it, I highly recommend seeing a naturopathic or qualified nutritionist to help you.

36 Responses

I have been suffering from Candida for quite a few years. After reading this post I realised how much it truly affects my life. Your post made me realise how much of this is ME and how much of how I feel is related to Candida. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know that there are many different websites that are helping people out with this issue but I feel that this post has truly done me justice. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thankyou so much this really helped me have a deeper understanding of my personal patterning and condition it helped me understand metaphysically so I can work on those issues @ hand it really puts life into perspective awe-inspiringly simle

Thank you for this post, so much of it rang true for me. I need to fix my anger and other emotional issues. The link you gave for Techniques in Breaking Through Mental & Emotional behaviours is not working, though. Are you able to fix or repost the link please? Thank you so much!

More than a year later, 2015, I find this comprehensive analysis of my craving for sweetness. I am in debt to you, for “thank you” seems not big enough to express my gratitude for assembling this blog. Many loving blessings!

There is a lot of information out there on Candida but nothing is as comprehensive and deeply integrated which takes you so systematically and in clear understanding of the what and why of it. Thank you for bringing to light which was much needed to be seen for healing to finally from the root, begin. Thank you.

Thank you for a very informative article…. I did a search for the ‘spiritual and emotional meaning behind repetitive yeast infections’ and your article came up. I love how the connections are made on a metaphysical plain.
I have just entered my 2 trimester of pregnancy. I’ve had yeast infections from the start and I KNOW it’s not only a physical thing. I will start working on the spiritual / emotional side…. regarding the physical side, I will start on a cleaner nutrition program and add what you have suggested (except for oil of oregano as i know it’s not safe during pregnancy. Maybe just add a few drops to salad dressing).

Do you know if Caprylic acid is safe during pregnancy?
What about taking psyllium husks?
thanks for your help

It’s wonderful to hear you’re going to have a baby, unfortunately, yeast infections are frequent when we’re pregnant. It seems the higher levels of estrogen cause the vagina to produce more glycogen (sugar) which as we know attracts hungry yeast cells causing them to multiply.

As far as changing your diet, go for it, you and the baby will feel better for it. Metaphysically, don’t worry about that right now. You’re hormones are changing rapidly, you’re changing daily. Enjoy this wonderful time of your life, you are creating a miracle inside you! This isn’t a time to go deep within, this is a time come out and shine! ＼((ˆ◡ˆ)／

Thanks for such a detailed and informative article. The thing is that the conventional medicine’s perspective on this subject and all other health subjects only scared me in the past which is understandable because they promote disease and struggle instead of health and wellbeing. Most sick people die because of diagnosis and fear of disease, not the disease itself.

When I look at this stuff from metaphysical perspective, it gives me more hope. I’ve been struggling with digestive and skin issues for quite a while and the last several months with persistent Candida infections. Been changing my diet quite often (in the name of greater health) but with lots of stress, fear, anxiety… my bowels just aren’t very happy. I just want to feel healthy again and finally find balance in life. Working on it. 🙂

Have you heard of Germanic New Medicine? Unlike conventional medicine, GNM goes back to the (psycological) root of a health issue. My sister told me about it (she gave a birth to a boy with Down syndrome). Google it if you want, think you might like it. 🙂

Thank you for writing and for pointing out, Germanic New Medicine, I’ve not heard of it before and shall look into it.

For you…..Have you heard of Acetylcholine? It’s a neurotransmitter that is the key signal between all nerves and muscles of the body as well as intestines. I’m not sure if this will help with your stress, fear, and anxiety, but if you checked it out or spoke to a health official or visited your local health store, there are acetycholine supplements. These may help as you continue to work with your emotional/health issues.

Also, that old saying “a way to a man’s happiness is through his stomach” is true because the ascending colon warehouses 95% of the body stores of serotonin which is made from foods like turkey, chicken, fish, broccoli, cheese, nuts etc. Also a supplement called 5HTP (Hydroxy-tryptophan) is changed to serotonin in the gut. Serotonin helps protect the immune system by identifying food allergies and other invaders, and helps keep lymph nodes flowing. Low serotonin levels can make us feel anxious, restless, depressed, aggressive, and possibly fearful as well.

I wish you all the best with your spiritual and emotional healing and finding the right diet just for you.

I'll definitely do a little research on the supplements you mentioned.
It's funny how just the other day when I was searching for a natural immune system booster found royal jelly to be quite powerfull. And guess what else? Apparently acetylcholine occurs naturally in royal jelly! This can't be a coincidence. 🙂

Also I found out my vitamin C and Bs levels are low. I'm taking a supplement now (Solgar) and it contains choline as well. Also taking some probiotics for the yeast and working on resolving my stress and anxiety issues. Hopefully I'll be better very soon!

Beautiful article. Especially the metaphysical part and some useful dietry information.

I thought I had a yeast infection over 2 years ago, it was occuring after my period each month, my GP did not look and said it sounds normal, despite that I was/am experiencing tears , redness and a lot of itching. Since then I’ve had multiple blood tests, been put onto antiacids. I’ve had vitamin D, b12 and iron issues.

I must say im extremely confused about health in general. Every article I read contradicts the last one in which foods should/shouldn’t be eaten or what the primary causes are.

I use to follow a raw food diet and had no psorisis like I do now. But chinese medicine suggests raw food diet can cause candida…

Ginger is suppose to help the candida, yet I get terrible acid reflux if I have ginger.

I started taking ginger around my period to get rid of my cramps and it worked wonderously, but seems the cramps got replaced with 1-2 days of migraine/tension headache 4-11 days before my period…

I had to stop eating raw garlic as had a scary reaction one day of feel like I could not breathe after taking it, after that even in low quanities I feel my throat tightening up.

I guess I must have had candida for years as noticed around 6 years ago that I was becoming more drunk on less and less alcohol, I had to totally stop drinking around 3 years ago as I had almost allergic response to the alcohol, throwing up, intense headaches, with just 1 glass of white wine.

It didn’t stop there though, i’ve developed mild allergies to many things since then. I cannot drink any herbal teas contaning rooibus, hibicus or rosehip as I get a terrible headache and with rooibus become so fatigued that I could not move my body one time.

Im wondering if another type of fungus could cause candida type symptoms, as I noticed the allergy type responses when I had been working with some mouldy hay, lots of dust and dirt and my inner nose and ears would often be black after work, I began to start cleaning them with cotton buds in an attempt to remove it as washing did not work.

There again I had bowel surgery over a decade ago and woke up with a very sensitive stomach and constant gas. I get nervous wind/gas and just an excessive amount in general compared to other people. Its destroyed my social life and work life, I’ve removed myself from people because of how I cannot control the cramps/gas I get around them, however it goes or is much less when alone. I also was born with some hormonal issues, I had menopausal symptoms as a child so required hormone therapy, so maybe it goes back to birth even…

I think this is the root and solar plexus chakra issues for sure, I do not feel I can trust anybody and waiting for them to harm me or reveal that our relationship has been a charade. I feel that nothing I can do can rid of this feeling as nothing is known in life, nobody can 100% assure you that somebody will not turn on you. I always trusted my intuition yet several experiences where I got something or someone wrong disturbed me in that I cannot protect myself from dangerous people and caused myself to get PTSD and OCD in situations i could have avoided it if my intuition had worked. Yet I know this is destroying my life by making it less enjoyable and not a fun experience, even if it is my survival instinct working.

What is consistant is the metaphysical/spiritual/emotional cause so I guess I should primarily focus on this and affirmations…

With all you’ve been through, I hope you have a good support system (counsellors, doctors, friends, family) who are helping you to deal with all the stresses you’ve been and are going through. It does seem that when everything around us is altered or taken away or not working for us anymore, we tend to move through different emotions such as anger, disappointment, depression and even disorientation. This is however symbolic of a transformative process taking us to a new level of our development. It also means bringing to awareness what we’ve been denying.

Learning meditation, taking Yoga or Tai Chi will help to get your energy flowing and help to align yourself with your true Self. You sound like a very intelligent person and with a backing of good knowledge. I’m not sure where you are on your journey, hoever, there are a tremendous amount of books out there that will help to guide you. As well, gathering with like-minded individuals either in person or on the net, will inspire you to heal the parts of yourself that is in pain.

In response to your comment I’ve written it to ‘everyone’ as I’m not familiar with your personal and unique mind/body energy or past history.

When we are reacting to either food, or a situation, or a circumstance, or a person, or to the weather, we are actually responding to a signal that is coming from inside us. (projection) The signal may be in the form of comfort or discomfort, but if we could learn to listen to these signals that are being sent to us, all the time from within us, then, we’d realize that these signals affect our moods, our behavior, our perceptions, our tastes, our habits, our attraction to other people, our appetites, our urges and so on. Knowing your mind, body, allows you to TUNE into yourself and of course to others. This allows you to control your reactions. Every time there is an event in the mind, there is a corresponding event in the body. For example, If for instance you are afraid the dark, that fear takes the form of adrenaline shooting through your blood stream.

Thinking of it another way, consider yourself as a chemistry set. All your thoughts and feelings are translated into chemicals that fire throughout your body, altering the chemical composition and behavior of your cells. So a sad feeling would influence the cells of your tear ducts and make them produce tears or a scary feeling will give you goose bumps or make your hair stand on end. All this happens through neuropeptides, secreted by the brain, the immune system and the nerve cells. So neuropeptides are chemical messengers that carry information from the mind to the body – and back again – through the body fluids.

(The digestive tract usually contains about 200 ml’s of gas so it’s not abnormal to pass gas on a daily basis. The problem is when it gets excessive. Most causes of excessive wind is indigestion. If the food isn’t properly broken down, it can cause bloating and distention, passing of wind and painful cramps or pressure from trapped gas. Persistent wind is an indication of toxic imbalances in the digestive organs. This is when Candida and other fungi or parasites begin to inhabit and overrun the intestinal tract causing fementation and inflammation of the entire gut. The pressure from trapped gas sometimes presses upwards on the heart, causing shortness of breath, palpitations and anxiety. Other causes of gas/wind are food allergies and air swallowing (aerophagia). Also any surgery involving the abdominal area, can cause gut-wrenching spasms that result from large amounts of air trapped in the intestines after surgery. Movement is the number-one remedy for getting gas to work its way out of your system. If abdominal pain and distention is unbearable, there are rectal suppositories to help give you relief.)

Metaphorically, one cause of passing excessive wind may be caused from an individual being overly anxious, angry about their past and fearful of their future. This person really needs to have someone or even a group setting to help release their pent-up anxieties. Yet they are frightened to express what their feeling, both for fear their friends will abandon them and because they might ‘lose control of themselves completely’. But if they repress their anxiety,, they’ll become increasingly depressed and beneath that depression, rage and paranoia will grow too. The become irrational and panicky when they think about themselves and and even more-so when thinking about others.

Unfortunately this person misinterprets what’s going on and finds themselves turning everything into a crisis. Unknown to them, they have unconsciously projected their own aggression on others .. who unconsciously act out this individuals destructive thoughts and feelings back to him/her.

As mentioned earlier, joining a group of like-minded people (yoga, tai chi, Qi gong, etc…) will help you to release the pent-up emotions in your body.

ALSO (I’m not sure you know of these….)

TRAUMA RELEASING EXERCISES (TRE)

Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) “TRE® is a simple and quick set of movements that turn on our body’s natural rebalancing process—providing an immediate experience of relaxation. By releasing everything from everyday stress to deeply held physical tension and trauma, TRE® frees us up to meet life’s challenges with greater skill and ease. Best of all, our bodies do the work; we get relief without needing to process or retell our story.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27VgK0LrR3Q

AND

EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT)

Emotional Freedom Techniques – EFT – also known as Meridian Tapping – is a very effective healing method, that is known to eliminate past trauma and abuse, anxiety, fears, and phobias, negative emotions and beliefs, self-judgement, physical and emotional pain, bad habits, migraines, and often helps to heal physical injuries and illnesses.

Thank you Irene for your kind words ♥ understanding the mind/body, helps us to connect and read our own body, communicate with it and and understand what it’s telling us. The body is our greatest teacher 🙂

Very interesting article. can candida also cause physical feeling of imbalance and dizziness when walking. I’ve been trying to detox the candida out of my body for over a year now. I feel like Im dying when I detox.
is it ok to take dxn ganoderma tablets for candida overgrowth?
also dxn Lingzhi coffee?

Candida is a state of “inner imbalance”, but shouldn’t cause the body to feel dizzy or imbalanced. Two possibilities that could be causing this are the inner ear or vertigo. I’d check with your doctor, to see what may be causing this.

Candida normally lives harmlessly in the gastrointestinal tract of the body but seems to multiply when our immunity and resistances are low. That’s when the intestinal tract becomes imbalanced and the candida multiplies rapidly, feeding on the sugars and carbohydrates of the digestive tract.

Getting rid of candida isn’t easy, you need to stay on a very strict but nourishing alkaline diet. We’ve become so addicted to sugar, we actually suffer withdrawal symptoms that as you say, can make us feel like we’re dying. AND, candida flourishes on sugar and makes you crave it. If it’s true we eat our weight in sugar each year, it helps us understand why we struggle so much. Plus, we need sugar in the form of glycogen (glucose and carbohydrates) for the nervous system, brain and liver. Detoxing requires a great deal of discipline and focused intent.

I’m not familiar with DXN products. I did read its an antioxidant that helps to strengthen the body’s immune system. I’m very wary when we’re told a product works above all the rest. I see no harm in taking either the tablets or coffee as long as you implement other foods and supplements, especially probiotics.

Wheatgrass is known to cleanses the blood and gastrointestinal tract. Taking large amounts can cause nausea and dizzyness.

Watercress is rich in chlorophyll and helps to detox the body and restore the endocrine, nervous and immune systems.

I could list an array of supplements and foods to combat candida, however, each of us needs to find what works best for our unique bodily system.

As well, the state of mind reflects the content or discontent of the soul, which also reveals itself in the physical body. When under stress, the smallest irritation can send our nervous system into a frenzy. That’s when symptoms are likely to come to a head, since our emotions (anxiety, frustration, fear, worry) tend to create havoc in the mind/body connection. Paying attention to what the symptoms are saying is the best way to determine the type of thoughts being triggered.

Feeling ‘out of control’ can force the body to overcompensate in an attempt to find some sort of balance, or it just gives in, in complete desperation.

Don’t give up Vee. I know its difficult to stay on track, hopefully you have a lot of support from family and friends. I know the many people reading this, will give you a thumbs-up!!

Best article on candida and what the root causes are that I’ve ever read. So many of these emotional / energetic issues are exactly what is out of balance in my life, and I now see how this feeds and enables the imbalance of candida. THANK YOU!

I’ve also heard that Diatomaceous Earth is excellent for clearing the intestines and removing parasites / fungus overgrowth. I’ve taken this before with excellent results, but always start to “forget” to continue the protocol after a certain period of time! Obviously the candida is hanging on for dear life 😉

Thank you for your very interesting advice. I looked up ‘food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE)’, which is really tiny fossils that won’t harm the body, but act like razor blades to the ‘exoskeleton’ of the candida.

Perhaps Eloise, you’re hanging on to this Candida for some reason, which is why you tend to discontinue the DE when it’s starting to work? Others who find this as well could ask questions like … What past trauma am I having trouble letting go of? What or who in my life can I not forgive? And, What is the benefit of holding onto it? As you ask questions, notice what feelings come up. If any negative thoughts or feelings of anger/hurt come up, investigate them.

This is interesting too…
“Diatomaceous Earth (DE)” contains negative charge ions which also attract heavy metals (positive ions) that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis and these are eliminated through the intestinal tract. People have said using DE helps make them feel more energetic, their immune system more effective and reduced health risks.